Post Office Directory 1851, Westham, East Sussex


Westham is a parish 18 miles north-west from Lewes, 5 south-east from Eastbourne, and 5 south-east from Hailsham, in Pevensey hundred and rape, with 3,870 acres, and a population of 770, assessed to the Income Tax at £6,838. The benefice is a vicarage, value £347 per annum, and in the patronage of the Earl of Burlington. It closely adjoins the town of Pevensey, of which it may be considered a part, as it was formerly considered a hamlet of Pevensey, from which it derives its name, in consequence of being on the west side of Pevensey Castle; here are almshouses for 4 aged people, also a National School, supported by subscription of this and the adjoining parish, viz., Pevensey, for the education of boys and girls. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, is a large stone structure, partly in the decorated style of English architecture, having at the west end a large square tower.

Post Office – Miss Mary Chapman, receiver. Letters arrive from Eastbourne at 10am; dispatched at 4.45pm.

National School, William Gorring, master; Miss Sarah Fowler, mistress

Gentry
Arkcoll William, Esq.
Breton Robert, Esq.
Grace Rev. Thomas, Rectory
Sampson William, Esq.

Traders
Arkcoll William, farmer
Barnard James, bricklayer
Breton Richard, farmer
Crisford Charles & Samuel, millers
Fushenden Thomas, grocer & draper
Foord Francis, butcher
Freeman George, farmer
Gearing Arthur, butcher
Gearing Solomon, blacksmith
Gorring James, farmer
Hawes Robert, jun., farmer & cattle salesman
Hunnesett James, shopkeeper
Paul David, shopkeeper
Pitcher Josiah, farmer
Rhodes Samuel, farmer
Sampson William, farmer
Walter William, “Corporation Arms”
Woolgar Stephen, carpenter


19/10/2006

Transcribed by Stacey Gardner

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